New innovations in wearable technology can save lives

My husband and I purchased our house about a year and a half ago, and although I love our home, I often think of the sad circumstances that made it possible for us to be here.

An elderly woman who had raised her family here had been living alone in the two-story residence since her husband passed away a few years earlier. One day she was taking a bath in the upstairs bathroom and she slipped and fell and was not able to get up on her own.

She survived –albeit with plenty of bumps and bruises– but no one discovered her for two whole days. Two days she spent on the bathroom floor with water overflowing from the tub beside her.

After the accident, her adult children decided that it was no longer safe for her to live in the home she had inhabited for over 50 years, and moved her to an assisted living facility. From what neighbors have told me, she was devastated.

For some time, devices have existed to help people in these situations, but the functional technology of these older devices is limited, requiring that the person wearing them pull a cord or press a button to call for help.

Recently however, a new and innovative device debuted. Blue Willow Systems has created a fall detection and alert system that uses sensors and wearables to detect dangerous situations and alerts caregivers via mobile and desktop dashboards. Though the system was designed for use in care facilities, it could also eventually be useful for seniors living independently.

The system is cloud-based, so data and tools can be accessed any time, from anywhere.

Because the systems is a “software-as-a-service” product, you can purchase and use only the components you need, making it more affordable than other products on the market.

Manual manipulation by the wearer is not required. Instead, the system automatically detects risks, sends out alerts and reports information, 24/7.

So whether you’re looking for a solution that suits your own personal needs or you’re caring for an elderly family member, the Blue Willow System may be able to provide you with a more affordable, more intuitive and more effective option.

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Shayne is a freelance lifestyle writer with expertise in all things parenting, food and travel. She regularly contributes at MamasLatinas.com, CruiseCritic.com, independenttraveler.com and familyvacationcritic.com. Her career has allowed her to live out her passions while she raises her young family.